Do senior leaders generate high levels of motivation and commitment in the workforce and promote ethical behavior through modeling, communication, training, accountability systems, and disclosure mechanisms?

Elements of YES

Leaders foster an environment of open communication (top-down and bottom-up communication) throughout the agency. Employees view the agency as a desirable place to work. Teamwork is valued and rewarded. Agency policies reinforce the merit system principles and the Office of Government Ethics Standards of Ethical Conduct for Executive Branch Employees (while maintaining policies that avoid the commission of prohibited personnel practices) and, at a minimum, meet all applicable requirements for training in ethics, non-discrimination in employment, whistleblower protection, and other personnel protections. Ethical behavior and standards are identified for all employees. Programs for identifying violations exist and there are few, if any substantiated cases.

Suggested Performance Indicators

• GWS and/or other employee climate surveys reflect a positive, committed work environment.
• Human resources staff, in partnership with management, seeks and considers continuous feedback from employees (e.g. focus groups) regarding workplace environment.
• Agency has been cited in applicant feedback and media stories as an employer of choice.
• Agency awards policy promotes teamwork through the use of group awards and communication of group successes.
• Agency analyzes trends across management indicators such as per capita overtime, worker's compensation charges, sick leave usage, forfeiture of annual leave, turnover, removal of probationers, disciplinary actions, adverse actions (Part 752), and exit interviews.
• Senior leaders sign statements of conduct or agency-wide declarations.
• GWS and/or other employee surveys report that an ethical climate exists, that employees are aware of their whistleblower rights and other personnel protections, and they are likely to report wrongdoing.
• Communication strategies include a variety of media to convey senior leadership's message to the workforce.
• Agency has a positive record in program reviews and congressional reviews.
• Agency has a whistle-blower support and Inspector General hotline program; activities are recorded and analyzed.
• Agency is certified in compliance by the Office of Special Counsel with 5 U.S.C 2302(c) requirement that the workforce be informed of whistleblower rights and other personnel protections.